By Paritosh Pramanik
NAGPUR, Aug 8, 2026
IT’S GONE! Long live VHA ground!
The hockey ground off Amravati Road, which was in the possession of Vidarbha Hockey Association (VHA) for decades, will be taken away by the Nazul Department.
The office of Nayab Tehsildar of Nazul Department has sent a notice to VHA Secretary regarding taking control of the 3.8 acres of hockey field after the lease of the ground was cancelled last month.
Interestingly, there is no official body of VHA since TN Sidhra was appointed as the Administrator of the association in 2019 by the High Court.
The Nazul department will be taking control of the ground on August 13 at 11 am and has asked officials or representatives of VHA to “remain present at the ground during the process,” states the notice dated August 5, 2026, which is in possession of ‘The Hitavada’.
Last month, District Collector had terminated the lease VHA and had asked Tehsildar to take possession of the piece of land.
As per the July 17, 2026 order, VHA had ceased to satisfy the conditions needed to continue the lease. It came after an adverse report submitted by the District Sports Office which flagged lack of facilities for players and holding of tournaments at the ground.
VHA had moved the Divisional Commissioner to look into the matter and quash the order passed by the District Collector.
VHA is in possession of the 3.8 acres of land on Amravati Road since 1962. The lease was renewed in 2007 and it was to continue till 2037.
The Collector had asked VHA to furnish all the documents of the lease and sought to know whether the lease rules were followed in toto.
In that order, the Collector had also mentioned that the annual lease fee was not paid for several years. Other reasons for cancellation of lease were that the ground was not maintained, uneven bushes were all around the field, absence of astro-turf.
The loss of such a memorable ground, which has hosted many enthralling matches, should be attributed to the infighting and ego tussle within VHA. Till date the life members, who claim themselves to be the flag-bearer of the game in the region and the clubs, have hardly come forward in support of saving the ground.
For decades, the life members continued to fight for posts either in the erstwhile Indian Hockey Federation or in VHA. None thought for the betterment of the game, be it its Presidents, Secretaries or the members of executive committees over the years.
The appointment of an Administrator too could not solve the in-fighting. The Administrator shifted to northern part of the country appointing a co-ordinator who till date is fighting the lone battle. But that is not enough to save the ground from Doomsday!
Long live VHA ground!
Co-ordinator Joshi seeks VHA Patron CM Fadnavis’ intervention
WITH no help from any quarter, Co-ordinator Krishna Joshi in a last-ditch attempt texted a message to VHA Patron Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to help in saving the ground.
In his message Joshi requested the Chief Minister to call a meeting of all stakeholders and then only take any decision.
“The ground is home to thousands hockey players of 11 districts and if it is taken away from them it will ruin their careers. I request you to please reconsider the Collector’s decision and intervene in the matter.”
















